John Calipari may have just hit the stride. In one of the week’s most anticipated matchups, John Calipari returned to his old stomping ground—the very place where he led the Kentucky Wildcats to a National Championship in 2012. The stage was set at a packed and electric Rupp Arena, but this time, the crowd was anything but welcoming as Kentucky took center court.

The crowd booed as Calipari made his return, but the coach sought redemption and delivered, guiding Arkansas to a statement victory over a bitter rival on their home court, defeating Kentucky (89-79). The win was so decisive that it even silenced critics like Rob Dauster.

In the recent episode of The Field of 68: After Dark, Dauster talked about the team’s chances moving forward. “If you can replicate that desire, to play the way that they played tonight, that level of intensity defensively, that level of shot making, if you can keep replicating that, Arkansas can make a run,” he says.

The host lists out the upcoming schedule for the Razorbacks, noting all the wins they can secure. He is confident that home games against LSU, Missouri, and Texas can easily place them in a position to win if they continue with a strong intent. Currently, Arkansas is listed as one of the bubble teams to make it to the NCAA tournament. That’s an improved standing, considering their poor 1-6 SEC start had them nowhere in the prediction.

But their win against no.12-ranked Wildcats showed what the Razorbacks had in store and that’s enough for Dauster to keep his hopes up. “So, if you get hot, if you make this thing happen here in the next three weeks then you got a chance to be able to be able to do it,” Dauster says. Now that’s a 180 you wouldn’t have seen coming after the host’s rant earlier in January.

The Razorbacks had landed a 3rd consecutive loss after their matchup against no.8-ranked Florida. Calipari’s team fell to 11-5, eventually getting pushed off top-25. It was a moment Dauster questioned the coach’s leadership and set him on a firm belief of Arkansas not making it to the tournament. “I don’t know if this team’s good enough to make it,” he had said. Well, they’re good enough but I don’t know if this team’s going to make the tournament.” 

The team has added 3 more losses since then and the host has continued to criticise Calipari for the turnout. But looks like all it took was one game with a show of fearlessness to have Dauster back on board.

Underdogs shine at Rupp Arena

Arkansas basketball was expected to be an underdog. With John Calipari now on the opposing sideline after a 15-year tenure with the Wildcats, Kentucky entered the game as a double-digit favorite. The atmosphere was electric, and it seemed like a perfect moment for Kentucky to prove that they were on the right track after moving on from a coach with six SEC titles, four Final Four appearances, and a national championship under his belt. But that moment of affirmation for Kentucky didn’t come on Saturday night.

John Calipari played the role of spoiler as the Razorbacks (now 13-8, 2-6) held onto a lead throughout the second half to secure a stunning victory over the No. 12 Wildcats (15-6, 4-4).

“Good team. Good shooting. Big kids are playing well. Mark’s done great. He was the right guy for the job,” Calipari said. “Today? We kind of got them today. Just move on. Next game. This is one game.”

From the very beginning, the Razorbacks played their best game of the season, shooting an impressive 55.2% from the field and sinking 13 three-pointers. Adou Thiero led the charge with 21 points, while former Wildcats D.J. Wagner and Zvonimir Ivisic added 17 and 14 points, respectively.

As March Madness looms, Arkansas has positioned itself to be a team to watch. The road ahead is challenging, but if they can continue playing at this level, there’s no telling how far they can go.